2025 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 24

For today’s prompt, write about relief.

(Note: If your story gets flagged for review, be patient—we will be releasing comments every few hours throughout the weekdays of this challenge. Our system randomly flags comments for review, so just sit tight and wait for us to set it free! If you run into any other issues with posting your story, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue.)

Here’s my attempt at a story about relief:

Fast Friends

The ghost woman appeared in one bright burst, like a glitter balloon popping. Mac spun and stared at the spirit, hovering hazily in the kitchen.

They were quiet for a solid minute.

“Boo?” the ghost said.

“Oh!” Mac clutched her chest and sagged back against the counter. “Thank God. It’s haunted! I thought that all the noises were something serious. I know my home insurance wouldn’t cover replacing the pipes in this place, and I’m trying to stick to a budget in 2025, feel me?”

“I was not allowed to deal with finances,” the ghost said.

“Oh girl,” Mac lamented.